2018 is almost over, and while we all get settled in to hibernate, watch Christmas movies, and reflect on everything we meant to get done this year (there’s always 2019, right?), Netflix is launching its final crop of shows and movies. Wrap up 2018 the right way - binge-watching on the couch, where it’s warm and cozy.
It’s not all Christmas goodness. In fact, many of the biggest new Christmas movies actually dropped on the streaming service last month, so this month sees the addition of some major blockbusters (Avengers: Infinity War), new comic book shows (Happy), and of course, Netflix Originals (Dumplin’).
Related: Every New TV Show And Movie On Netflix This Weekend (Nov 30)
Decorate the Christmas tree, grab a blanket to curl up under, and check out these new upcoming Netflix movies and TV shows.
15. Hellboy
Fans of this underrated superhero movie will be thrilled that it is coming to Netflix this month. Starring Ron Perlman as the titular red ‘hero’, Guillermo Del Toro’s Hellboy has long been a fan favorite. The sequel, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, was removed from Netflix at the start of November, so sadly a marathon isn’t in the offing… but never mind, it may return. And of course, this is a must watch before the new version of Hellboy lands in theaters in April.
Arriving: Dec 1
14. The Lobster
This Oscar-nominated film from 2015 defies easy categorization. Set in a dystopian near-future, it blends drama, romance, and black comedy, and it looks absolutely spectacular. Starring Colin Farrell, The Lobster takes place in a world where everyone has to couple up or be turned into an animal (literally). The newly single David is sent to a hotel to find someone or accept his four-legged future (or in his case, eight-legged, as he would become a lobster). However, he soon realizes that everything is not as it seems at the Hotel.
Arriving: Dec 2
13. District 9
On the surface, this may look like another alien-invasion flick, but it is definitely not that kind of sci-fi. District 9 is set in South Africa, where an alien ship landed decades ago, bringing with it a cargo of otherworldly refugees escaping the loss of their home planet. Shunted into slums, the aliens are targeted by humans wanting to crack the secrets of their technology - and this found-footage-style film explores what happens when one of the company men is forced to truly see how they are treating the aliens who came to them for help.
Arriving: Dec 4
12. Happy (Season 1)
This series may be set at Christmas, and it’s got plenty of snowy city scenes… but it’s not exactly a holiday show for the whole family! Based on the comics of the same name, Happy is a dark and twisted journey into the criminal underworld, as a disgraced ex-cop with a drinking problem partners up with a tiny blue unicorn - the imaginary friend of a little girl who has been kidnapped.
Arriving: Dec 6
11. Dogs Of Berlin
This German series will appeal to those who love a (fictional) look at the criminal underworld, as two cops investigate the murder of a famous football player in Berlin. As with most cop series, these two men couldn’t be more different, and together, they have to investigate a huge range of potential suspects; from the Neo-Nazis to the Mafia. The series is filmed in German and subtitled.
Arriving: Dec 7
10. Dumplin’
This Netflix Original is based on the book of the same name by Kristin Hahn, and features some big names in the cast (including Jennifer Aniston and music by Dolly Parton). The film revolves around the daughter of a former beauty queen who now runs pageants - and who isn’t happy when her daughter enters her pageant as a protest, sick of the way she is treated because she doesn’t look like the stereotypical pageant girl.
Arriving: Dec 7
9. Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle
No prizes for guessing that this is also based on a book… another adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s 'The Jungle Book'. The incredible voice cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Christian Bale as Bagheera, and Andy Serkis as Baloo, as the young Mowgli grows up in the jungle under their watchful (and in Shere Khan’s case, hateful) eye. Expect stunning special effects, although as one of a dozen remakes of the same tale, viewers will already be well aware of the narrative itself. Sit back and just enjoy the talented cast and stunning scenery.
Arriving: Dec 7
8. Out of Many, One
Immigration is currently a hot-button issue, so this Netflix Documentary Short is incredibly relevant - and sure to ruffle a few feathers. Out Of Many, One looks at the process of becoming an American Citizen through the stories of five immigrants who are being prepped for naturalization with the help of the Citizenship Project. While the film doesn’t directly look at some of the major issues around the immigration debate today, it does give a sense of the kind of people seeking to make the United States their new home.
Arriving: Dec 12
Page 2: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Avengers: Infinity War and More!
7. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Midwinter’s Tale
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was a huge Halloween hit for the streaming service, and now, Sabrina is back with a holiday special. The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina: A Midwinter’s Tale takes place at the annual Yule celebration of the winter solstice, and is sure to blend the spooky vibes of the first season with a little holiday cheer - which should be a fascinating combination for this single episode.
Arriving: Dec 14
6. Tidelands
Netflix takes a trip into the world of mermaids with this new Australian series - but don’t expect these to be sweetly-singing maidens brushing their hair on the rocks. Instead, Tidelands is set in a fishing village inhabited by half-human, half-siren women. After the body of a fisherman washes up on shore, it’s time for a local to start figuring out why so many men are going missing in the Bay…
Arriving: Dec 14
5. Baby Mama
Take a break from dystopian worlds, mysterious murder, and holiday themes with a little lighthearted comedy in the form of Baby Mama. Starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, this quirky comedy is about a single woman who decides to become a mother through surrogacy… but her journey quickly goes wrong when the scheming surrogate she chose shows up on her doorstep, looking to make a quick buck. Expect the usual twists and heartwarming ending.
Arriving: Dec 16
4. The Theory Of Everything
If you were disappointed in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, enjoy the talented Eddie Redmayne in a very different film: the Oscar-winning The Theory of Everything. This biographical romance tells the story of Stephen Hawking’s relationship with his wife, starting with his time at Cambridge, and moving forward as his illness has a greater and greater impact on his life, and his love.
Arriving: Dec 16
3. Bird Box
Back to the world of post-apocalyptic films with Bird Box, based on the novel of the same name and starring Sandra Bullock. This horror film takes place in a world where mysterious creatures are causing people to go mad and end their own lives if they so much as catch a glimpse of the creatures - and one woman must attempt to stay safe and keep two children safe with her as she attempts to find them a refuge; but the creatures are not the only thing that they are in danger from.
Arriving: Dec 21
2. Avengers: Infinity War
This Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster is coming to Netflix just in time for Christmas, and at the perfect time to keep kids busy during school holidays! Of course, there are plenty of adult fans who are also looking forward to re-watching this massive team up as (almost) every Marvel hero joins forces in order to try and stop Thanos from getting his hands on the Infinity Gauntlet and wiping out half of the universe…
Arriving: Dec 25
1. The Autopsy Of Jane Doe
Finally, wrap up the year with a little more horror (who says that scary movies are just for Halloween?). The Autopsy Of Jane Doe stars Emile Hirsche and Brian Cox as a father and son coroner team, who attempt a standard autopsy of a mysterious body… but soon discover that this isn’t just any body, and that they may not survive their attempts to discover what happened to this woman.
Arriving: Dec 30